Ukraine Permission Extension scheme FAQ

Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme is a free application for Ukrainian Scheme visa-holders to extend their stay in the UK for 18 months beyond their initial 3-year visa.

The UPE scheme will extend the rights and entitlements a person holds under the Ukraine Scheme. This means that your rights to work, study and access to public funds (including Universal Credit and social housing) will continue.

In November 2025, the Home Office announced that if your initial period of UPE permission is coming to an end, you may be eligible to apply for a further 24-month extension under the scheme if your initial 18 month extension is coming to an end. From 8 April 2026, you’ll be able to apply for this extension 90 days before your current UPE permission expires, using the same link as before (see section: “how should I apply?)

To apply to the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme you must already have been granted permission under one of the three Ukraine Schemes.

You must:

• be in the UK when making an application
• have been living in the UK (and Islands, which includes Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man) since you were granted, or arrived in the UK, with permission under the Ukraine Schemes

If you are a non-Ukrainian national applying as a partner, you will generally need to continue to be in an eligible relationship with a Ukrainian national (see “Can family members of Ukrainian nationals apply?” section below)

You can apply to the UPE scheme for your child if s/he was born in the UK after 18 March 2022 and you have a Ukraine Scheme visa.

The UPE scheme opened for applications on 4^th February 2025. The full UPES Guidance can be found here: www.gov.uk/guidance/applying-to-the-ukraine-permission-extension-scheme

You should only make an application within the last 90 days of your current visa permission. Applying within the 90-day window does not reduce the total length of permission granted, and any remaining permission on the person’s status will be added to the new grant.

If you apply too early, your application may be rejected and not considered. If this happens you will need to reapply.

You must apply online using this link: www.gov.uk/guidance/applying-to-the-ukraine-permission-extension-scheme#apply-now. You must be inside the UK at the time of the application. You may be required to attend a Biometrics appointment.

If you apply after your permission expires you may lose your rights (work, public funds etc) until a decision is made.

See below “Section 3C Leave – what to do if you have been refused services” for more information.

Before you apply to the scheme:

• create a UKVI account and have access to your eVisa (check our translatable eVisa Guide)
• update your UKVI account with the identity documents you’ll use for your application, for example your passport – if you need to add or update your identity documents you need to do this before you make your application
• retain your expired biometric residence permit (BRP), if you have one, as it may make the application process quicker
• remember you must apply within 90 days of your current permission expiring to protect your continued rights to access services (3C Leave)

When making your application, you’ll need to:

• prove your identity
• confirm you are in the UK when making your application
• confirm whether you have had permission to be in the UK on a Ukraine Scheme
• provide information about your accommodation in the UK
• provide information about any time you have spent living outside the UK or Ukraine since you were granted permission under the Ukraine Schemes

Proof of identity

To prove your identity, you need a valid international passport or an biometric residence permit card (BRP), even if it has expired.

If you have not provided a valid international passport to the Home Office before, including at a visa application centre (VAC), you must submit one when you apply for UPE. See Applying to the Ukraine Permission Extenion scheme – Proof of indentity.

If you are not a Ukrainian national, you can apply if you have a Ukraine Scheme visa because you a family member of a Ukrainian. For example, you are a partner, fiancé(e) or proposed civil partner, parent or other family member.

If you were previously granted permission as the family member of a Ukrainian national, you will be asked to submit evidence to demonstrate that you continue to be in an eligible relationship.

If you are no longer in a relationship, please seek immigration advice.

In order to apply to the UPE, children must be living in the UK with a parent, legal guardian or someone who has taken responsibility for their care. Children will need to provide evidence of their parents’ identity and immigration status, for example their passport number or Unique Application Number (UAN).

Read more about applying for a child here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/applying-to-the-ukraine-permission-extension-scheme#apply-child

You must apply to the UPE from within the UK (including Northern Ireland). Your application will not be valid if you apply from outside the UK.

You should not travel outside of the UK or any other part of the Common Travel Area (the Common Travel Area includes the UK, Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man) whilst waiting for a decision on your application.

If you do travel, then your application will be withdrawn and will not be considered. You cannot make a UPE application from outside the UK.

After you’ve applied online, and provided all of the requested documentation, you’ll usually get a decision within 8 weeks.

If your current visa expires before you get a decision on UPE, don’t worry, all of your rights and entitlements remain the same under “section 3C” leave.

See below – “Section 3C Leave – what to do if you have been refused services” for more information.

Section 3C Leave

If you make an in-time, valid application to extend your leave before the expiry of your current leave, your rights and entitlements will remain unchanged until you receive a decision, even if your leave expires. This is called Section 3C Leave. It means you can continue to work and access services such as social security and healthcare.

Some people with 3C Leave struggle to demonstrate their immigration status because their eVisa might say “visa expired”. This can prevent people accessing employment, benefits and housing that they are entitled to.

What to do if you are refused services

Work – Your employer might ask for a Share Code as proof of your right to work in the UK. If your eVisa is showing the wrong status you will not be able to provide a valid Share Code. Employers should use the Employer Checking Service to check your right to work.

More information about employers’ responsibilities is available here: Checking a job applicant’s right to work

Social Security (benefits) – Your benefits should not stop if your immigration status has not changed, or you are waiting for the outcome of an immigration application (3C Leave). You can visit your local Jobs & Benefits Office and ask them to check your immigration status directly with Home Office. You should tell them that you have made an immigration application and you are waiting for an outcome. They may request a copy of your application. If you are still having issues you can phone Law Centre NI for assistance 028 90 24 44 01.

Housing (Northern Ireland Housing Executive) – Your entitlement to Homeless Assistance or Housing Benefit from NIHE should not stop if your immigration status has not changed, or you are waiting for the outcome of an immigration application (3C Leave). You can ask NIHE to check your immigration status directly with Home Office. You should tell them that you have made an immigration application and you are waiting for an outcome. They may request a copy of your application. If you are still having issues you can phone Housing Rights on 028 90 24 56 40.

If your application is successful, your eVisa (an online record of your immigration status) will be updated to show your new UPE permission.

All your existing entitlements will continue for a further 18 months from the date of decision.

No, the Ukraine Scheme and UPE scheme are not a route to settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain).

We know that some Ukrainians are considering ‘switching’ to a different visa in order to obtain a pathway to settlement. You should consider the implications very carefully and are strongly advised to seek specialist immigration advice before making a new visa application.

• Some Ukrainians may be eligible to apply for a Skilled Worker visa. This visa is expensive (the fee ranges from £719 to £1,639 depending on your circumstances, and there is an additional £1035 annual healthcare cost). This visa does not permit you or your dependants to receive social security benefits such as Universal Credit or homeless assistance from the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE).
• Some Ukrainians have applied for asylum. Claiming asylum has a number of far-reaching implications. For example, if you claim asylum and are subsequently granted refugee status, you will not be able to return to Ukraine including for visits.
• Some Ukrainians may be eligible to apply for permission to stay because they have a family member who is British, Irish, EEA or settled in the UK.

Make sure you only obtain immigration advice from professional, qualified advisers. All immigration advisers must be registered with either OISC or the Law Society NI.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have a valid visa and to apply to extend your visa before your current permission expires.

Check when your current visa expires and prepare accordingly. You can find details of your visa expiry in your UKVI account or eVisa, or in your Home Office decision letter/email.

If you need advice on your situation or need help making the application, the Law Centre Immigration Team may be able to help you. Please ring 028 9024 4401. Interpreters are available.